Bowling Event Benefits Promise In Brevard

Worthy Cause

BREVARD COUNTY • WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – A very special bowling event in West Melbourne will help raise money to build a new facility for individuals with and without special needs.

The "Bowling For Promise" fundraiser will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Shore Lanes on Dairy Road in West Melbourne. (Shutterstock image)

Sponsored by the West Melbourne Business Association, “Bowling For Promise” will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Shore Lanes on Dairy Road.

Promise is a local group of dedciated parents founded by Betsy Farmer.

When faced with limited options for her son Luke, who has with Down syndrome, Betsy created the award-winning Space Coast Early Intervention Center.

There, children with and without developmental delays and disabilities played alongside each other in a program designed to foster friendship, social acceptance and preparation for school life.

As Luke grew older, Betsy realized that career options for her son were also limited and narrowly defined.

Once again, Betsy fought stereotypes, talked to educators, business owners and career professionals and formed the Brevard Business Leadership Network.

Opportunity

Since its inception in 2005, the BLN has given Luke and dozens of other young adults the chance to learn specific job skills inside diverse business environments.

Throughout Luke’s life, Betsy has provided constant encouragement and stimulation, instilling in him an “I can do it” attitude. As friends and family went off to college and began an independent life, Luke wondered when he, too, would be able to get out on his own.

Sadly, Betsy had to admit that no such fun, socially stimulating and safe environment as the type she envisioned for Luke existed. With that realization, the idea for Promise was born.

With the same drive and determination that brought Space Coast Early Intervention Center and Brevard BLN to life, Betsy has now turned her boundless energy and full attention to the creation of Promise.

Betsy envisions Promise as a place where people with diverse abilities can lead a fun-filled life, with career and social opportunities–and freedom–never thought possible.

With some similarities to the college campus experience, the Promise idea is for a world-class environment, where caring neighbors and staff can foster supervised independence and share in the true meaning of community.

Betsy Farmer, right and her son Luke are the founders of the Promise organization. (Image courtesy Promise)

Major anouncement

In 2011, it was announced that Promise will construct a 20-care housing complex on Norfolk Parkway in West Melbourne near the Hammock Landing Shopping Center.

Mercedes Homes, which owns the land, will build the complex and ground is expected to be broken for it later this year.

Funds will be raised through sponsorships, donations and special events like “Bowling For Promise.”

The cost to bowl at the event is $10 per person or $100 per team up to six bowlers.

Each bowler receives bowling shoe rental and there will be a team challenge, sponsor recognition, games, door prizes and raffles.